Dear Friends,

Just as the summer heat blasted across the coast throughout June, with almost no letups, so did the number of activities we were involved with at the Land Trust.

That included a weeks-long archaeology field school for anthropology students at Cannon’s Point Preserve. Led by Dr. Lindsey Cochran, an assistant professor of anthropology at East Tennessee State University, the field school provided hands-on experiences and gave students the opportunity to learn proper techniques when working on archaeological sites. Dr. Cochran's class also participated in maritime forest restoration research at Cannon's Point by conducting archaeological surveys of potential planting sites for live oak seedlings, ensuring that no unnecessary damage will take place during the reforestation process. This kind of partnership and ongoing research plays enormous roles in the management of the Preserve while also protecting on-site cultural and natural resources for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

One of the highlights of the month took place on the water, when we partnered with SouthEast Adventure Outfitters to lead a kayak tour along Jones Creek on the western side of Cannon's Point Preserve. The heat was relentless, but the creek water cooled our wrists, and the beauty of a fully intact maritime forest was inspiring.

Our new Stewardship Technician, Rebecca Cushing, and a dedicated SSLT volunteer, Gary Nikoukary, braved the heat to help complete a new phase of the trail system at Guale Preserve. You can read more below about the Ancient Dune Trail that has just been opened to the public.

Many more projects were being planned and completed during the month. But, thankfully, the majority of those took place in airconditioned surroundings. It's going to be quite a summer -- we hope you all stay safe and cool and enjoy this special time on the islands.

Emily Ellison

Executive Director

Thanks to all who joined us on the Land Trust's Kayak Tour with SouthEast Adventure Outfitters this month! Viewing Cannon's Point Preserve from the water on Jones Creek was unforgettable. The juxtaposition of the boat docks and rooftops at Hampton River Marina where we launched, compared to the undisturbed marsh and maritime forest of the Preserve, was stunning.

Also stunning is the Preserve's thriving living shoreline. Since being completed in 2015, this restored area has provided critical habitat to saltmarsh species such as redfish, blue crab, southern stingray, bottlenose dolphin, manatee, and diamondback terrapin. See the video below for a look at a female terrapin utilizing the living shoreline to reenter Lawrence Creek.

Learn more about the living shoreline HERE.

Twice this month, the St. Simons Presbyterian Church BRIDGE Mission Program visited Cannon's Point Preserve. This ongoing partnership allows youth to enjoy the Preserve, learn about Land Trust conservation work, and give back to the community by trimming roads which allows for safe public access throughout the Preserve. We are truly grateful for their hard work and support!

This month, Purdue University graduate student, Brianne Innusa collected data for Phase 5 of the Maritime Forest Restoration Research.

SSLT volunteers, College of Coastal Georgia students, and staff came out to assist Brianne with the data collection. They worked to collect summer height and diameter of all 720 live oak seedlings and percent ground cover of trees, forbs, vines, and grasses underneath 5 randomly selected live oak trees per treatment.

Brianne also removed 5-8 live oak leaves from the randomly selected trees to conduct nutrient analysis. Brianne explained that the overarching goal of these measurements is to see how planting density, initial mulching, and initial fertilization, impacts the growth of the live oak seedlings, the growth of the regenerating vegetation, and the nutrient acquisition of the live oak seedlings.

We look forward to seeing Brianne's data once it's compiled and are thrilled this groundbreaking research continues!

Learn more about this research HERE.

The Preserve will be closed over the 4th of July weekend (July 2-4). During this time, we recommend visiting the many other publicly accessible Land Trust properties, and partner properties, including Frederica Park, Guale Preserve, Harrington Community Park, Old Stables Corner, John Gilbert Nature Trail, and the Land Trust's Office.

While Cannon's Point Preserve is closed this holiday weekend, we hope you will explore a newly added phase to the trail system at Guale Preserve. In addition to Polly's Trail, that is in the heart of the Preserve and accessed via Middle Road, the Ancient Dune Trail is a NEW hiking/biking/bird watching path on Guale's southern side and is also accessed via the main Middle Road entrance off Lawrence Road.

The .7 mile loop is the first of two new phases being added to the trail system. The new Ancient Dune Trail takes you through lush coastal habitats and brings you back to a section of Middle Road east of the entrance. The second phase will be completed in 2023 and will lead visitors to what is indeed the remains of an ancient dune system from when the ocean advanced far more inland than it does today.

From France to Alaska, our Land Trust hats have been on MANY adventures this past month. Thanks to all who brought their hats along and shared their pictures.

While our online store is temporarily shut down, SSLT hats can still be purchased in-person from our office at 1810 Frederica Road. We hope you'll come and see us!

Land Trust properties have been filled with classic, and beautiful, sights of the early summer season in coastal Georgia. From nesting osprey along Frederica Road to blooming deer's-tongue inside Guale Preserve, to gold-winged skimmers resting at Stollaway, these sights of summer excite us for the months to come and remind us why we love spending time on protected land.

Deer's-tongue, or Vanilla-leaf, has thick, leathery leaves and purple blossoms. Both release a distinct scent derived from coumarin oil. The oil deters transpiration and nibbling creatures.

It was collected by Gullah Geechee people for supplemental income in the first half of the 20th century. This tobacco industry-driven harvesting contributed to its near extinction. Loss of pine flatwoods - from deforestation, fire suppression, and drained wetlands - caused long-term impact.

Loss of flatwoods also puts the exquisite Little Metalmark at risk. Deer's-tongue is one of its only two host plants.

Pick up your copy of Elegant Island Living's July issue to read The Best of Times by Land Trust Executive Director, Emily Ellison. This article features many ways to celebrate the summer on Land Trust properties.

Thank you to our Pennies for Preservation partner and 12-Month Sponsor, Elegant Island Living, for this wonderful feature!

Read more from this article HERE.

Join us in welcoming our newest Pennies for Preservation partners,

Maggie Hughes Events and The Bubble Bar!

This wedding and event planning company was launched in 2019 and is owned by Land Trust Ambassador, Maggie Hughes. Having worked in the event and hospitality industry for more than a decade, Maggie's distinctive experience and perspective helps create unforgettable memories for her clients and their guests. She feels that events such as weddings, family reunions, and even business retreats are deeply personal. And she brings her clients' inspirations and visions into reality by combining design and logistic expertise, seamless collaboration, and genuine hospitality.

Maggie will be participating in the program by donating 1% of her business proceeds to the Land Trust. And we are thrilled to announce that Maggie Hughes Events will be planning our 2023 Oyster Roast!

This Champagne bar is designed to bring a little fun to your afternoon shopping. Patrons can experience luxurious weekly tastings, chat with Brandon, the Certified Sommelier, or browse their retail wine shop, which highlights cleanly made small production wineries from across the world.

The 'A Penny for Your Thoughts' conversation series with our Pennies for Preservation partners continues! This Q&A initiative individually highlights each partner so the community can connect with and get to know each business and business owners a little better.

Please see a recap of comments from the Pennies for Preservation partner who was featured on social media in JUNE:

If you ask Bob Thompson, owner of Creative Printing Inc., what the key is to establishing a strong and meaningful relationship with clients, his answer will always be "Collaboration." Forty-two years ago, Bob opened Creative Printing with the promise to provide the best integrated printing solutions possible. Today, this locally owned and operated company is a premier commercial sheetfed and digital printer that serves businesses all over the nation! And while this success is something to be very proud of, Bob reminds himself often that. "...it is members of the Golden Isles community who helped start and continue to sustain [us]."

The team at Creative Printing produces a wide variety of marketing materials for the businesses they work with such as menus, brochures and flyers, letterhead and envelopes, signs and banners, postcards and so much more.

In addition to supporting the Pennies For Preservation program, Bob has served up mouth-watering low country boil at the Land Trust's annual Oyster Roast for more than twenty years!

and the Land Trust's dedicated Pennies for Preservation partners.

Pennies for Preservation businesses raise funds to preserve and protect St. Simons Island.

1) Collecting a voluntary 1% or specific dollar amount donation from their

customers' receipts/invoices.

2) Donating 1% of their companies' proceeds or services.

In addition to the archaeology field school that took place for anthropology students at Cannon's Point Preserve last month, some of our partners are also marking their commitments to historic and scientific research in tangible ways.

Read below for more information about Fort Frederica's new Archaeology Lab and the 10th anniversary of Coastal Georgia Historical Society's Archaeology Lab.

Our friends and partners at Fort Frederica National Monument have shared the exciting news of a new Archaeology Lab coming to the National park soon! The lab will be the focal point of archeology research and education for years to come.

This exciting addition was funded in 2019 by generous donations from members of Friends of Fort Frederica and the family of the late Karl William Meschke, a scientist by trade and an archaeologist at heart who loved giving back to his community.

Construction is set to begin this summer. Read more from The Brunswick News HERE.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society’s Archaeology Laboratory. The lab began as the vision of the late Ray Crook, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Antonio J. Waring Archaeological Laboratory Emeritus, University of West Georgia. Dr. Crook was inspired by the commitment of the St. Simons Land Trust to acquiring and preserving Cannon’s Point, where a number of archaeological projects had yielded important findings in the 1970s.

Over the past decade, the lab has assisted more than a hundred researchers and students and has participated in over 50 local excavations. Dr. Crook’s vision has become an invaluable vehicle for recovering and preserving the cultural resources of our coastal area.

Read more in the CGHS summer newsletter HERE.

July 2-4: Cannon's Point Preserve is CLOSED for the 4th of July holiday weekend.

July 4: Golden Isles Track Club 4th of July Race.

July 5: Keep Golden Isles Beautiful Beach Sweep. Old Coast Guard Station.

July 29: Golden Isles Appreciation Party. Longview Plaza.

August 11: Coastal WildScapes Pollinator-Friendly Native Landscapes for Coastal Georgia Lecture and Garden Walk. Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, Brunswick.

August 15: Keep Golden Isles Beautiful Clean & Green Golf Tournament. Brunswick Country Club.

August 28: Coastal WildScapes Book Signing with Author Janisse Ray, Ashantilly Center, Darien

September 17: Coastal WildScapes Annual Fundraiser, Starlight and Spartina, Musgrove

September 24: Coastal WildScapes Fall Native Plant Sale, Ashantilly Center, Darien

January 21, 2023: 23rd ANNUAL OYSTER ROAST!